Lighthouse of Brookfield

Pros

• He was treated with respect and compassion.
• The staff are very friendly and have the skills needed to assist elderly people with advanced dementia.
• Ellen is the head nurse; she is extremely knowledgeable and experienced to ensure that a loved one will be taken care of.
• The family is grateful that New Perspective made Dad's final days peaceful.
• Most of the caregivers were amazing.
• The caregivers work tirelessly every day to keep residents clean, dressed, fed, and exercised.

Cons

• The management leaves much to be desired.
• The facility has gone downhill over the past three years.
• Two caregivers are expected to care for 15 residents with big behavior problems, while handling meals, dressing, cleaning, and medications.
• There has not been an onsite regular nurse for several months.
• There is no recreation director; residents are simply kept in the day room, fed, and returned to bed.
• The staff are overworked and under-supported.
• The main number is unhelpful, and the director never returns calls.
• Family members of deceased residents are not allowed to visit, which is very upsetting.

Review

Lighthouse of Brookfield is best suited for families seeking intimate, dementia-focused care delivered by frontline staff who genuinely respond with kindness and attentiveness. The strongest asset here is the caregiving team's compassion and competence on day-to-day tasks, especially for residents with advanced dementia. Families that value a warm, personal approach from caregivers - someone who can provide respectful help with daily routines and who knows their loved one's needs - may feel secure in the hands-on care at the bedside. That said, this strength does not compensate for broader operating gaps that color the overall experience.

Those considering alternatives should weigh the need for stable leadership, reliable nursing oversight, and an active, well-supported programming calendar. If a family requires predictable governance, transparent communication from a consistent administrator, and regular nursing presence on site, this community may fall short. The absence of a stable on-site nurse for months, combined with minimal administrative support and a dwindling activities program, makes it hard to sustain confidence that care will remain well-coordinated over time. For families prioritizing structured programming, proactive management, and clearlines of accountability, other options are likely to be more reliable.

The most meaningful positives - caregivers who are kind, patient, and capable with dementia - do offset some of the facility's most troubling gaps, but only to a point. The staff's ability to treat residents with dignity and provide compassionate daily care creates moments of safety and comfort that families notice and appreciate. Ellen, the head nurse highlighted in one account, embodies the expertise that can reassure families about medical stability and proper attention to evolving needs. Yet these individual strengths cannot fully compensate for systemic issues: inconsistent nurse coverage, a high pace of work for the remaining staff, and the looming risk that essential services may lag because supervision and resources are stretched too thin.

Where the negatives most clearly land is in staffing reality and administrative responsiveness. Two caregivers for up to 15 residents with behavioral challenges, carrying out cooking, cleaning, dressing, toileting, medication administration, and activities, is a strain that inevitably affects both quality and safety. The absence of a dedicated recreation director and a seriously constrained activities program leaves residents with fewer opportunities to stay engaged, healthy, and socially connected. Even more concerning are practical governance problems: an intermittent on-site nurse, one overnight caregiver covering a full 12-hour shift, and a main office that is hard to reach or slow to respond. The combination of these factors erodes trust and complicates family coordination around hospice, care planning, and updates.

In evaluating this community, prospective families should prioritize specific, firsthand assurances. Request a current staffing roster with roles and shifts, verify the presence (or absence) of a nurse on site and the hours, and ask for a recent survey or state inspection summary. Schedule conversations with current residents or their families to gauge daily life beyond the weeklong impression. Probe how hospice care is coordinated, how care plans are reviewed, and how family input is integrated into decision-making. Demand clarity on visitation policies for families after a resident's passing, and examine the facility's commitment to rebuilding programming and administrative engagement.

Bottom line: Lighthouse of Brookfield can be a strong match for families who place a premium on compassionate, hands-on dementia care and are willing to navigate significant management and staffing gaps. For families that require reliable administrative leadership, consistent nursing presence, and an engaging, well-supported activity program, alternatives are likely to offer a more predictable and comprehensive experience. The decision hinges on whether the immediate, personal care provided by frontline staff outweighs the cumulative impact of limited nursing coverage, reduced programming, and tense administrative responsiveness. If those latter elements feel unacceptable, it is prudent to explore other options that promise steadier oversight and richer resident engagement.

This part of Brookfield, Wisconsin offers a convenient and well-rounded community for senior living. With multiple pharmacies, restaurants, parks, theaters, physicians, hospitals, cafes, and places of worship within a short distance, residents have easy access to essential services and amenities. The proximity to various healthcare facilities such as Prohealth Care Medical Centers and Aurora Advanced Healthcare ensures quality medical care is readily available. The abundance of dining options ranging from casual to upscale at establishments like Chick-Fil-A and Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant provides diverse culinary experiences. Additionally, the presence of parks like Greenfield Park and Fox Brook Park offer opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. Overall, this neighborhood provides a vibrant yet peaceful environment suitable for seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient place to call home.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• Pick 'n Save Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Metro Market Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Aurora Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3 miles)

Restaurants

• Champps Americana (0.8 miles)
• Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant (1.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.2 miles)
• Portillo's (1.4 miles)
• Mission BBQ (1.7 miles)
• Kopp's Frozen Custard Stand (1.9 miles)
• Cafe Hollander (2.5 miles)

Parks

• The Big Backyard (1.7 miles)
• Dousman Stage Coach Inn Museum (2 miles)
• Greenfield Park (2.8 miles)
• Elm Grove Village Park (2.9 miles)
• Fox Brook Park (4.6 miles)
• Wil-O-Way Underwood Park (4.8 miles)
• Hoyt Park (5.6 miles)

Theaters

• Silverspot Cinema - The Corners of Brookfield (2.4 miles)
• Ridge Cinema New Berlin, Wi (4.8 miles)

Physicians

• Prohealth Care Medical Centers (2.7 miles)
• Aurora Advanced Healthcare (2.7 miles)
• New Berlin Family Practice Clinic (2.7 miles)
• West Suburban Center For Arthritis (2.7 miles)
• Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group (3.4 miles)
• Lincoln Avenue Clinic (3.6 miles)
• Aurora Health Center (4.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Rogers Memorial Hospital (3.7 miles)
• Surgicenter - Children's Wisconsin (4.6 miles)
• Froedtert Pavilion (5.3 miles)
• Aurora Psychiatric Hospital (6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.3 miles)
• Mama D's Coffee (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.2 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• The Gingerbread House (6.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Congregational Church (5.3 miles)
• Honey Creek Church (5.5 miles)